Eye for a Recipe

Perfect for a weeknight supper, this recipe from Real Simple combines chicken thighs with a tangy zucchini salad. Pound the chicken thighs into thin cutlets so they cook quickly. I used green pepper instead of celery in the salad.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Black olives and Parmesan can contain additives and colour. I use Pilaros brand olives and President’s Choice Parmesan. Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice as the concentrates contain sodium benzoate.

Dress the salad 5 minutes before serving to soften

Chicken cutlets cook quickly

Chicken thigh cutlets with zucchini salad

Ingredients:

2 zucchini (about 1 pound/500 g), thinly sliced lengthwise or shaved with a vegetable peeler

2 celery stalks, thinly sliced

½ cup (125 ml) fresh parsley leaves

¼ cup (60 ml) pitted oil-cured black olives, halved

2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice, plus 1 lemon, thinly sliced

¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper

¼ cup (60 ml) shaved Parmesan

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, pounded ¼ inch (0.64 cm) thick

Preparation:

Combine the zucchini, celery, parsley, olives, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of the oil, and ½ teaspoon (2 ml) each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow the vegetables to soften slightly. Top with the Parmesan.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with ½ teaspoon (2 ml) each salt and pepper. Cook, in 2 batches, until browned and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to serving plates. Add the lemon slices to the skillet and cook just until browned and softened, about 1 minute.

Top the cutlets with the lemon slices and serve with the salad. Serves 4.

From Real Simple

If you are looking for a way to use up the last of the zucchini from your garden, try these crispy zucchini fries from Martha Stewart Living. Dredge zucchini sticks in wheat germ (the part of wheat that sprouts and grows into a new plant), dip in beaten egg, and then into panko (a Japanese-style breadcrumb, made from bread without crusts). Drizzle with oil, season, bake and enjoy! Cook’s Note: If you don’t have wheat germ, use flour.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure the panko you use is additive-free. I am using 4C brand right now.

Dredge the zucchini

Place panko-coated zucchini on baking sheet

Crisp zucchini-panko fries

Ingredients:

2 large eggs

½ cup (125 ml) toasted wheat germ

2 cups (500 ml) panko, preferably whole wheat

2 large zucchini (1 ½ pounds/794 g total), halved crosswise and cut into ½-inch wedges

¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (201 C).

Whisk together eggs and 2 tablespoons water in a shallow bowl. Place wheat germ and panko in separate shallow bowls. Working with one wedge at a time, dip zucchini in wheat germ; coat in egg, then panko, pressing gently to adhere.

Arrange in a single layer on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle with oil; season with ¾  teaspoon (3 ml) salt and pepper to taste. Bake, rotating sheets and flipping zucchini halfway through, until golden brown and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

From Martha Stewart Living

This delicious and colourful salad from the Summer 2015 issue of Food and Drink is perfect for a fall potluck. Saute garlic, peppers and onion until soft and stir in tangy capers, balsamic vinegar and oil. Toss with cooked mini potatoes and garnish with fresh parsley. Cook’s Note: This tastes best served at room temperature.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

The two ingredients that may contain additives are the vinegar and the capers. Look for a balsamic vinegar with naturally occurring sulfites. I use Unico capers.

Boil mini potatoes until tender

Saute peppers and onions

When the vegetables are soft, toss with vinegar and capers

Garnish with parsley and serve at room temperature

Ingredients:

½ cup (125 ml) olive oil

1 head garlic, cloves peeled and thinly sliced

2 large red bell peppers, thinly sliced

1 large orange bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 large yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 large onion, cut in half lengthwise and thinly sliced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 tbsp (45 ml) good quality balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp (30 ml) drained capers

3 lbs (1.5 kg) mini yellow-fleshed potatoes

½ cup (125 ml) firmly packed flat-leaf parsley leaves

Preparation:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry garlic until light golden, about 2 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon to a small bowl and set aside.

Add peppers and onion to pan; season generously with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium- low and cook, stirring from time to time, until vegetables are very soft, about 35 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in reserved garlic, balsamic vinegar and capers; reserve.

Cook potatoes in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender, about 12 minutes; drain. When cool enough to handle, cut each in half and add to a large shallow serving bowl or platter. Spoon oil and pepper mixture over potatoes and gently toss to combine. (If making ahead, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.)

Bring to room temperature if necessary and, when ready to serve, scatter with parsley and gently toss once again. Serves 10.

From the Summer 2015 issue of Food and Drink